Shillong, Jan 13: The three day function of the concluding phase of the 150th Birthday Celebration of Swami Vivekananda here in Shillong came to an end today at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre (RKMVCC).
The day started with floral tribute paid on the statue of the great patriot prophet of India by Dr. K.K Paul, Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya with other dignitaries at 10:30 a.m.Later, the programme started at the auditorium with opening song by Khmih Shillong Group of ‘India’s Got Talent’ fame. The inaugural lamp was lighted by the Governor and other member present in the dais. Shri B.K. De Sawian, ex-DGP, Meghalaya presented welcome address and introduction followed by the speech of Shri Salam Singh, Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra and an audio-visual presentation on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
Later Guest of Honour, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister for Urban affairs addressed the audience. In her address Ampareen defined youth as the strength of the country and asked them to contribute their label best for building the State and the Nation. Recollecting the messages of Swami Vivekananda she described him as youth icon.
In his speech the Governor of Meghalaya also urged the youths to follow the ideals of the Swami. He said, Vivekananda stressed on the awakening of the inherent strength. Narrating an incident from the life of Swami Vivekananda he said, at Chicago when he was questioned about the peculiar dress he wore the Swami replied, ‘in your country a tailor makes a gentleman, but in our country character makes a gentleman.’ Paul says he was very much touched when he learned about the incident.
Stressing the need for empowering the youth power in a proper way he said, In Vivekananda we find many things which inspires the younger generation of our country. Paul who was also the Chief Guest of the programme opined that Swami Vivekananda countered the conspiracy of the then British Empire to destroy our culture. He said, most of the national leaders of our country including Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose were inspired by Vivekananda. Quoting the President of USA, Barack Obama on Swami Vivekananda, Paul said, his message is even much relevant in modern India.
It’s time to channelize the youths properly through the teachings of the great patriot prophet he said. The first session of the programme ended with words of gratitude by Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj the secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong. The afternoon session started with various Cultural Programmes from different states including Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Assam in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra in the afternoon Especially the large audience applauded with great enthusiasm by the extra-ordinary performance of the kids of Khmih Shillong Group.(SP News)
